The genus for a fancy little group of monocots commonly known as sedges. They are in the family Cyperaceae (correct spelling) and are usually found in riparian habitats. Often they are confused with rushes (Juncus) which are in the family Juncaceae, but a good little mnemonic for distinguishing between the two is: "rushes are round, sedges have edges." This refers to how the stems appear in a transverse/cross section.
Ca"rex (?), n. [L., sedge.] Bot.
A numerous and widely distributed genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the order Cypreaceae; the sedges.
© Webster 1913.
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